May Mga Lihim Kami ni Ingkong

by Luis P. Gatmaitan, Beth Parrocha (Illustrator)

A boy comes to terms with his grandfather's dementia. Based on the author's childhood experience. 2000 Palanca 2nd Prize winner.

32 pages, Paperback

About the author

Luis P. Gatmaitan, MD is a medical doctor and an author of more than 40 children's books, some of which have been translated into Nihongo, Thai, and Bahasa Indonesia. He chaired the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) and now sits on the council of the National Council for Children's Television (NCCT) as a child development specialist. Known as Tito Dok to his readers and listeners, he hosts a weekly radio storytelling program, Wan Dey Isang Araw at 702 DZAS of the Far Eastern Broadcasting Company. In 2003, he was one of the recipients of The Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (TOYM). He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature in 2005.

Reviews

[Jayvie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kwento ni Luis Gatmaitan M.D.
Guhit ni Beth Parrocha-Doctolero
Nagkamit ng Ikalawang Gantimpala sa Maikling Kathang Pambata (2000) mula sa Don Carlos Palanca Awards for Literature.
Kauna-unahang maikling kwentong pambata na binigyan ko ng limang marka.


Masasabi kong naiiba 'to sa ibang mga kwentong nabasa ko. Iba sa pangkaraniwang kwentong pambatang may happy ending. Malungkot ang kwento. Mangilid ngilid pa nga ang luha ko habang binabasa ko 'to. Dalang dala ako sa kwento pati sa mga larawan.

Ito ay kwento ni Peping at ng kanyang ingkong o lolo na nag-uulyanin. Pinapakita dito ang pagmamahal ng isang apo sa kanyang tumatandang lolo. Isang makabagbag damdaming kwento na kukurot sa puso ng sino mang mambabasa mapabata man o mapamatanda.

Mahirap ang pinagdadaanan ng mga nag-uulyanin. Nariyan na hindi nila mawari sa kung anu ang dapat sa hindi. Malimit sa salawal naiihi. Kadalasan ay nagiging isip-bata. At ang pinakamasakit, ay ang makitang hindi ka na pala niya tanda.

Ayokong maranasan ang naranasan ni Peping. Ayoko, takot ako! Takot akong makitang nahihirapan ang mga taong mahal ko. Takot akong malaman na hindi na ako natatandaan o maalala man lang ng mga taong malapit sa puso ko. Takot ako sa katotohanang may katapusan pala ang lahat. Takot akong mawala na lang agad agad.

Simple lang ang nais ipahiwatig ng kwento.

Mahalin natin mga taong malalapit sa atin. Lalong lalo na 'yung mga mas nakakatanda sa atin. Dahil hindi habang panahon makakasama natin sila. Hindi habang panahon makakapiling at madarama natin ang pag-aaruga at pagmamahal nila. Gawin nating makabuluhan ang bawat oras na kasama natin sila dahil hindi natin masasabi kung bukas nandyan pa sila o wala na.


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[Carren]

good

[Jesslie Balita · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay

[Shiloh Macaspac]

so good

[Maryjane Jualo-Talaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

My great grandmother has just turned 101! I agree with the author's sentiment that even with old age, opportunities to do day to day work and fruitful activities should still be available for them. It's important to ensure that they keep meaning to their lives and that they always feel their importance radiated from the people around them.

This simple storybook packs so much. I am reminded to always be patient and kind to my elders. I am reminded of my loving ama and in her last days, how despite her ailments, she always still has us in mind. I am reminded to be more understanding of my mom, who despite not looking at all close to 60, is starting to have worries left and right. I am reminded to be extra loving. For sure when I come close to that age, I'd also want to still be lovingly understood.